Spotted - a 1542-era ship!

[Basil]

Was out and about in San Diego today and decided to visit the San Salvador! "The" San Salvador was the first European ship, captained by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, to explore the west coast of California. The new "San Salvador" is a project to build a fairly accurate representation of that ship! Here are some pictures I took today, including several from my tour of the San Salvador. For best viewing, recommend clicking the "Play" button in the upper right of the screen and view as a slide show.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcarforum/sets/72157648060914573/

 

[NutmegCT]

They are doing a great job in building that replica. Just consider that a ship like that was state of the art back then. Wow.

If you look at the replica of the 1620 Mayflower at Plymouth MA, it's hard to imagine over 130 people, plus animals, supplies, cook fires, lamps, etc. crammed together for four months in that 100 foot long space.

 

[Basil]

This ship was "state of the art" but was 100 years before the "wheel". This ship actually used a "tiller" (The large pole coming out od the deck is the tiller).

 

[NutmegCT]

The tiller - wow, now that *is* old technology.

Here's a story for you:

https://www.maryrose.org/

 

[catfood]

Trivia Time:

I visited the Mary Rose some years ago (before it moved to its current home). Among the wreckage the divers found dozens of what looked like tiny spoons. At the time the archeolgists could only speculate what they were for. The best explanation they had come up with was ear wax removers!

 

[NutmegCT]

Just a crazy thought - I wonder if the men at the gun stations were given wax for their ears, so they wouldn't go deaf?

Enclosed between wooden decks, massive cannon firing right next to you ... yikes

 

[JPSmit]

Very cool boss - thank you. For years I read Wooden Boat Magazine - till it turned into a catalogue for the rich and famous to show off.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been watching a British Series called Restoration Home - a series about people restoring VERY old British Homes (and pretty much running out of money in the process)

I mention the show because, like the ship, I am completely in awe of the traditional skills of those who build (restore) these things. In its way I suppose it is like us restoring our cars, but, wooden ship builders, wooden home restorers, old airplane restorers etc. etc. amaze me in a particular way - thanks! <I guess I could add Morgan restorers to the list of traditional wood restorers >

 

[Basil]

I think I remember seeing a special on (I think) History channel (Might have been the Smithsonian channel) about the Mary Rose.

 

[Silverghost]

Interesting and completely worthless bit of information / trivia (which is why I know it! ) The Mary Rose and the starship Enterprise (Kirk's Enterprise) both carried approximately 420 +/- people. And now you know!

 

[NutmegCT]

Yikes. Compare the size of the two vessels. Talk about crowded ...

 

[JPSmit]

Yikes. Compare the size of the two vessels. Talk about crowded ...

Well duh, of course Kirk's had more um .... Space (runs and hides)